Apple refreshes iMac with Haswell, faster SSDs and next-gen Wi-Fi

Apple has announced an update to the iMac family of all-in-one desktops that brings the latest Intel “Haswell” processors, better graphics, next-generation Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage options into the same thin design revealed by the company last year. The refreshed lineup is available starting today in stores and online.

The company is keeping the same price points and, as usual, there are two configurations to choose from for each model with a few customization options for those who want to max out their machines -- and wallets.

The 21.5-inch iMac is available with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 and Intel Iris Pro for a suggested retail price of $1,299; or with a 2.9 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 and Nvidia GeForce GT 750M for $1,499. Its larger sibling, the 27-inch iMac is available with a 3.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 and Nvidia GeForce GTX 755M for $1,799; or with a 3.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 and the same Nvidia chip for $1,999.

People who wish to upgrade further can choose up to a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 3.5 GHz, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 780M series graphics card with 4GB of video memory, up to 32GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM, and up to 1TB of all-flash storage or 3TB of Fusion storage combining traditional hard drives with SSD.

Speaking of storage, Apple says the updated iMac now features support for PCIe-based flash storage that makes Fusion Drive and all-flash storage options up to 50% faster than the previous generation.

Last but not least, the new iMac now supports the same 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity present in the latest MacBook Airs, which should improve wireless range and transfer speeds when connected to compatible router.